Demba Ba is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a striker for Newcastle United and the Senegal national team. He played for a number of clubs before eventually joining French club Rouen on a one-year contract in 2005. Following his successful term with the club, he was scooped up by Belgian club Mouscron in 2006. On 29 August 2007, he moved to 1899 Hoffenheim for €3 million and was an integral part of Hoffenheim's promotion to the Bundesliga. In that season he scored 14 goals, which included a hat-trick in a 3–3 game against Stuttgart on 24 February 2009. On 28 January Ba was sold to West Ham for an undisclosed fee based on appearances on a three year contract. On 17 June 2011, Ba signed for Newcastle United on a three-year deal, making his club debut on 13 August 2011 in 0–0 draw against Arsenal. His first goals for the club came on 24 September 2011 with a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–1 home win. A second hat-trick came in a 3–1 away win at Stoke City, taking his league total to 8. Ba was voted as the best signing of the 2011–12 season by Premier League managers in March 2012 and finished the season as Newcastle's leading goal scorer, with 16 goals. Ba has played a total of 16 games for Senegal, scoring four goals. He scored on his debut against Tanzania in June 2007.
